Definitions

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun Same as insolence, 1.
  • noun Insolent character or quality; manifestation of insolence.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun rare Insolence.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun Quality of being insolent.
  • noun An act of insolence.

Etymologies

Sorry, no etymologies found.

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word insolency.

Examples

  • But this ingratitude, vile as it is, I bore with patience till Badenoch, growing in insolency, declared that late last night despatches had arrived from the king of France to the regent, and that he (in right of his birth, assuming to himself that dignity) had put their bearer, Sir Alexander Ramsay, under confinement, for having persisted to dispute his authority to withhold them from you.

    The Scottish Chiefs 1875

  • King's removal to Hurst Castle having meanwhile arrived, there was a fierce debate in the Commons over that act of the Army, the Presbyterians protesting against its "insolency," and at length carrying, by a majority of 136 votes to 102, a Resolution that it had been done "without the knowledge or consent" of the House.

    The Life of John Milton Volume 3 1643-1649 David Masson 1864

  • To give moderate liberty for griefs and discontentments to evaporate (so it be without too great insolency or bravery), is a safe way.

    The Essays 2007

  • Novi quendam (saith [1921] Erasmus) I knew one so arrogant that he thought himself inferior to no man living, like [1922] Callisthenes the philosopher, that neither held Alexander's acts, or any other subject worthy of his pen, such was his insolency; or Seleucus king of Syria, who thought none fit to contend with him but the Romans.

    Anatomy of Melancholy 2007

  • There will appear, at the last day, strange and unexpected examples, both of his justice and his mercy; and, therefore, to define either is folly in man, and insolency even in the devils.

    Religio Medici 2007

  • It is well, when nobles are not too great for sovereignty nor for justice; and yet maintained in that height, as the insolency of inferiors may be broken upon them, before it come on too fast upon the majesty of kings.

    The Essays 2007

  • Aproyis, an Egyptian tyrant, grew, saith [6629] Herodotus, to that height of pride, insolency of impiety, to that contempt of Gods and men, that he held his kingdom so sure, ut a nemine deorum aut hominum sibi eripi posset, neither God nor men could take it from him.

    Anatomy of Melancholy 2007

  • Faults in such are no faults: for when the said Alcibiades had stolen Anytus his gold and silver plate, he was so far from prosecuting so foul a fact (though every man else condemned his impudence and insolency) that he wished it had been more, and much better (he loved him dearly) for his sweet sake.

    Anatomy of Melancholy 2007

  • To repress the luxury of those Roman matrons, there was [5031] Lex Valeria and Oppia, and a Cato to contradict; but no laws will serve to repress the pride and insolency of our days, the prodigious riot in this kind.

    Anatomy of Melancholy 2007

  • Varro, secum et natas et morituras literas jactans, and brings them to that height of insolency, that they cannot endure to be contradicted, [1934] or hear of anything but their own commendation, which Hierom notes of such kind of men.

    Anatomy of Melancholy 2007

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.